ABSTRACT
University rankings have become an integral part and powerful influence in the higher education landscape. While the determinants of educational quality may not be clearly defined, university rankings designate an institution a numerical position based on quantifiable measurements that focus primarily on institutional resources. The outcome of these rankings is that higher-ranking positions benefit institutions via admissions outcomes, faculty recruitment, resource attainment and future reputation. This conceptual chapter argues that universities in the global north are racing to the global university rankings under the umbrella term of ‘World Class University’, whereas universities in the global south may mainly be building institutional competence to become research-intensive universities that can address the issues of poverty, inequality, corruption and bad governance, as well as contribute to community, national and regional development, especially in the African continent. Given the possibly divergent needs of the universities, it behoves African institutions to develop relevant, inclusive, adaptable and trustworthy university league tables and ranking systems that are responsive to the needs of the African continent. Efforts should be made towards providing a ‘transparent[CA2], free of self-interest and methodologically coherent system, that responds to the interests and needs of the African higher education sector.
